The 2000 Saleen S7

 

America's Attack On Italian Supercars

 

 

 

     Today I'll be writing about the Saleen S5S Raptor's father, the Saleen S7.

     The Saleen S7 is a front-engine rear-wheel drive supercar equipped with a 7 liter naturally aspirated Ford 427 V8 engine that produces 550 bhp @ 6,400 rpm and 520 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Top speed is 220 mph. The S7 can get to sixty in 3.3 seconds which is fast considering that it isn't a recent model. The main reason for this incredible speed is that the S7 only weighs 2,750 pounds thanks to the use of a carbon-fiber bodywork and a tube frame that is supplemented with honeycomb panels that add rigidity and create front and rear crash safety boxes. However in 2005 the S7 got a power boost when it was given twin-turbo powerplant that increased engine power to 750 bhp and a whopping top speed of 248 mph. Both engines are coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission with a stick shift.   

     The S7's suspension uses upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, and anti-roll bars in both the front and the rear. The steering is rack and pinion. The S7's brakes are Brembos that use vented discs. The tires used on the S7 are Pirelli P-Zeros. The S7 uses swing-up Lamborghini-style doors.  

     The price for a regular S7 in perfect condition is $375,000. Today however the S7 is no longer in production so in order to buy one you'll have to go to a used car market.

    

     Although the Saleen S7 wasn't reviewed on British Top Gear it was reviewed on American Top Gear by Rutledge Wood who praised its speed but not its gearing or ease of getting in the car. But then again Rutledge is a big guy so I would imagine it would be a harder for him to enter any car. No offense Mr. Wood. I just wished British Top Gear would give Saleen and America a chance especially host Jeremy Clarkson. Besides why wouldn't he since the S7 has some British in it.